Samoa police officer jailed for theft

A police superintendent in Samoa who was in charge of the Police Marine division has been sentenced to 12 months jail on thief as a servant convictions.

The defendant, Tagaolo Iosefatu Wright, had denied the charges, which related to the unlawful removal of 120 litres of petrol and four hardboard plywood timbers from the Marine division premise on the main Matautu wharf.

He was found guilty after a trial in which several police officers from the same division provided crucial evidence against him.

The court heard Wright had been instructing some officers under his supervision to remove petrol for his use since 2010.

The presiding judge, Vui Clarence Nelson, said there is no doubt the defendant's actions have tarnished the reputation of those police following the principles of transparency and good governance.